Sub:-†† Recommendations of 9th Conference on Safety inMines was held on 2nd & 3rd February 2000 at New Delhi.† Besides reviewing the status of implementation of the recommendations of Eighth Confernece on Safety in Mines, the conference had deliberated upon and had made valuable recommendations on the following subjects :

RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE NINTH CONFERENCE ON
SAFETY IN MINES HELD ON 2ND AND 3RD FEBRUARY 2000,
AT NEW DELHI.

1.0 Review of Status of Implementation of Recommendation
of the 8th Conference on Safety in Mines :1.1 Necessary facilities for monitoring the environmental
parameters in respect of Methane & Carbon Monoxide should be provided
at mines. Facilities of continuous type monitoring should be installed
within two years in all degree III gassy coal mines and in such other mines
having active underground fire. Indigenous manufacturers should be encouraged
to manufacture necessary equipments.1.2 In mines where long or arduous travel is involved,
arrangement for transport of men should be made.

1.3 In respect of small-mechanised mines, which are
operating in non-coal sector, it may not be feasible for a small organisation
to create a special department on Occupational Health Services. For such
small mines, it is suggested that an Association of small mines operators
creates common facilities and infrastructure for occupational health services.
Creation of such facility is specially needed for asbestos, manganese and
mica mines.

Simultaneously with creation of facilities for occupational
health services, it is also necessary to improve quality of life of employees
working in mining industry by provision of well planned housing colonies
provided with all modern facilities such as good drinking water, good sanitation,
drainage and recreational facility.

1.4.1 Suitable types of steel/metal supports should
be introduced in all the deveopment districts in coal mines within two
years.

1.4.2 Wherever practicable, roof bolting as a method
of support in coal mines should be used. Its performance should be monitored
regularly. A few conventional timber props may be used as indicator props.

1.4.3 Coal mining companies should take initiative
to select/promote development of suitable type of drills & other accessories
for use in various types of roof strata. A task force may be created for
the purpose which may oversee the introduction of steel supports.

1.4.4 Development of a portable instrument for detecting
the hidden slips in the roof of coal mines should be taken up on priority
by R&D organisations.

1.5 All front-line supervisory officials like Sirdars/Mates,
Overmen/Foremen, Surveyors, Electrical/Mechanical supervisors/Chargemen/Foremen
as well as persons supervising other surface operations should be imparted
structured training in safety management, for at least two weeks, once
in every five years, covering about 20% strength every year.

1.7 Audiometry should be introduced, as a part of
mandatory medical examination, for persons seeking employment in mines
and for persons engaged in operations/areas where noise level exceeds 90
dB(A).

1.8.1 The portion of surface haul road in mine premises
where there is heavy traffic of men and machines, should have a separate
lane properly fenced off from the haul road for pedestrians and two wheelers.

1.8.2 Trucks and other heavy vehicles, not belonging
to management should not be allowed in the mine premises without a valid
pass issued by the competent authority of the mine.

Before the pass is issued the mine engineer should
check the road-worthiness of such vehicles.

In order to check entry of unauthorised vehicles
in mine premises, each mine should establish properly manned check gate(s)
at the entrance(s) where record of entry and exit of each such vehicle
should be maintained.

At the check gate the license of the drivers should
also be checked for eliminating the possibility of unlicensed persons driving
the vehicles.

1.9 Persons engaged in surface operations and, in
particular, the contractors' workers, who incidentally are often inexperienced
and least informed about job-safety matters, need closer and more competent
supervision. To minimise accidents due to surface operations it would be
ensured that:

All persons engaged at any work within the mine premises
through the contractors have received relevant training and other job-related
briefings and that the drivers of vehicles belonging to contractors entering
the mine premises have additionally been explained the salient provisions
of "traffic rules".

Each mining company should draw up appropriate training
schedules and modalities in this regard and implement the same.

In case of smaller mines, such arrangement may be
made by association of mine operators.†

2.0 Preventing Mine Disasters from Inundation

2.1 Each mine shall be critically examined for
its proneness to inundation and assessment regarding danger of inundation
and precaution to be taken should be reviewed and updated yearly preferably
before the onset of the monsoon. The recommendations may be deliberated
in the (Pit) Safety Committee of the mine and information disseminated
as widely as possible.

2.2 Suitable infrastructure at area level may be
provided for drilling advance bore holes to detect presence of waterlogged
workings in advance.

2.3 Embankments provided against river and jore to
guard against inundation should be designed properly keeping in view the
engineering parameters. The details of such construction should be properly
shown in the underground plan and water danger plan.

2.4 Surface excavation or disturbance in or near
major sources of water, which are connected or are likely to be connected
to below ground workings should be filled up completely.

2.5 Detailed precautions against inundation may be
laid down while working beneath or in the vicinity of river and major water
bodies. This may include framing and implementing standing order for safe
withdrawal of persons, including system of information both manual and
automatic, effective communication system and system of safe and timely
withdrawal of persons to safety.

2.6 Mechanism may be developed for warning mines
about impending heavy rains similar to warning of impending cyclone issued
in coastal areas for taking necessary action. Also coordination with concerned
agencies/departments about opening of dams in the rivers on the upstream
side should be examined.

2.7 Winding system serving as sole means of ingress
and egress may be made constantly available even in adverse weather conditions,
failure of steam or electricity or any other reasons.

2.8 Effective communication may be established within
the mine and between mines for safe withdrawal of persons. Necessary standing
orders in this regard need to be framed and enforced.

2.9 Recommendations of 6th Conference on Safety in
Mines to evolve suitable cadre structure for mine surveyors and upgradation
of their skill by availing facilities at various institutions, appointment
of qualified surveyors and providing infrastructure including computerised
facility at area level to oversee survey work of the mine etc. may be implemented.

2.10 R&D efforts should be continued to develop
a system for construction of water-tight chamber as last refuge below ground
in case of inundation.

3.1 Considering the risk of fire, all coal mine
companies shall rank its coalmines on a uniform scale according to its
risk from fire on scientific basis. Guidlines may be framed by DGMs and
circulated to all mining companies.

3.2 Recognizing the urgent need for making the emergency
plan responsive, speedy and effective, each mine shall review the existing
emergency plan, at a higher level keeping in view the risk from fire.

3.3 A tripartite committee may be formed to study
the feasibility of establishing rescue rooms in coal mines having high
risk of fire and employing more than 350 persons ordinarily employed in
a shift below ground may be considered.

3.4 A tripartite committee may be formed to study
the feasibility of storing oxygen type self rescuer at strategic places
below ground in coal mines with risk of fire in such scale so as to cater
to the needs of persons who can be affected in an emergency may be explored.

3.5 Each mining company shall formulate and implement
structured training programme for development of awareness and increasing
effectiveness of emergency response in case of fire amongst work persons,
officials and management.

3.6 Through sustained and meaningful R&D activities,
mining companies and research institution shall help in creating a better
understanding of the complex geo-mining situations leading to the occurrence
of fire, which in turn will help in formulating guidelines to combat the
problem of fire in effective manner. Early detection of heating effect
of reversal of fan and control of fire, other associated aspects may be
studied.†

4.0 Risk Management as a Tool for Development
of Appropriate Health and Safety Management Systems.4.1 Every mining company should identify one or
more mines and should undertake a formal risk assessment process aimed
at reducing the likelihood and impact of mishaps of all kinds in mines.
Subsequently risk assessment process should be extended to other mines.

4.2 Risk assessment process should aim at effective
management of risks, by identifying,

(i) which risks are most in need of reduction,
and the options for achieving that risk reduction,

(ii) which risks need careful on-going management,
and the nature of the on-going attention

4.3 The risk assessment exercise should
follow an appropriate process.

4.4 Risk management plans shall be prepared on the
basis of risk assessment and implemented in the identified mines.

†5.0 Quality Control for Improving Safety

5.1 Each mining company and the manufacturer/supplier
shall satisfy themselves that the product has valid approval where applicable
and conform to relevant standards where available at the time of supply.

5.2 Each large mining company may setup quality control
cell or strengthen where the same exist, identify critical items which
require testing for quality assurance at the time of procurement and during
use and arrange testing of the same. Testing facilities may be setup wherever
feasible;

5.3 Any defect or failure of approved items or those
having BIS certification may be promptly brought to the notice of the appropriate
authority for further action.

6.0 Communication System between DGMS
Offices and Mine Management at Site.†
6.1 Recognizing existence of a large variety of
communication systems in mines, a comprehensive review of the existing
communication systems at all mines in all mining companies should be undertaken
and a consolidated status report prepared for working out a realistic and
effective system of communication.

6.2 In organized mining sector, an effective internal
and external system of communication besides P&T means shall be established
both ways between the mines and, Rescue Rooms/stations, hospitals and DGMS
offices.

6.3 Each mining company in the organized sector shall
formulate and implement a comprehensive communication protocol clearly
assigning duties and responsibilities of persons at various levels.

6.4 In un-organized mining sector, effective communication
system shall be established in the following manner,

(i) In large mines effective wireless communication
within the mine including attendance rooms and managersí office and residence;
and,

(ii) P&T telephone at managersí office and residence.

6.5 Steps shall be taken to strengthen communication
system within DGMS offices and amongst DGMS offices and mine sites besides
other concerned agencies.

7.0 SAFETY IN OIL MINES Ė BLOWOUT AND FIRE HAZARDS.

7.1 GENERAL:

Each oil company shall formulate a system to monitor
all incidents of fire and blowout, whether or not involving loss of life,
injuries and loss of property, investigate the causes and take necessary
remedial measures.

7.2 PRECAUTIONS AGAINST BLOWOUT :

†7.2.1 Each oil company shall frame an action plan to
provide following safety devices in all the drilling rigs:(a) Pit level indicator registering increase
or reduction in the drilling mud volume with an audio-visual warning device
near the drillerís stand,(b) A gas detector or explosimeter at the primary
shale shaker with audio-visual warning device near the drillerís stand,(c) A device to accurately measure the mud required
to keep well filled at all the time, and(d) A device to ensure filling of the well with
mud when string is being pulled out.7.2.2 To ascertain that BOPs function properly
up-to their rated capacity, it is essential that all BOPs & choke manifold
are pressure tested as prescribed. Adequate facilitates/hydraulic test
benches shall be provided in each company so that BOPs and its accessories
can be pressure tested to ensure their effectiveness.7.2.3 At regular intervals, blowout mock
rehearsals shall be carried out. Drilling crew including the chemists and
geologists at the well site shall to be trained so that they recognize
the warning signs of a kick and know what action must be taken to detect
and control a kick.7.2.4 Fitness of the drilling rigs, work-over rigs
& well head equipment should be checked initially and periodically.
Quality control procedures for tubings/casings shall be appraised and strengthened.7.2.5 At the time of drilling of the wells,
Geo-technical details shall be thoroughly disseminated with the concerned
drilling crew to forewarn them about the presence of gas/oil bearing horizons
etc.

7.3 PRECAUTIONS AGAINST FIRE

7.3.1 Each Oil company shall examine the condition
of pipelines carrying hydrocarbon with special emphasis on:

Trunk lines

High pressure gas/oil pipelines

Pipelines passing through highly populated area, rivers
etc.

Hazards from vehicles plying on the road.

Old pipe lines.

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Action plan shall be prepared to take corrective
action in a phased manner.7.3.2 Plans of pipe lines of flowing wells
connected with group gathering stations shall be up-dated showing villages,
surface features, location of valves etc. and copy of such plans shall
be displayed at every group gathering station.

7.3.3 Work permit system for hot work, cold work
and electrical work should be formulated and implemented under the competent
supervision at all the oil installations.

†8.0OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SURVEILLANCE IN
MINING INDUSTRY

8.1 Occupational Health services as recommended by
7th Conference where ever not yet established shall be established
within a period of one year.

8.2 Each mining company operating mechanised mines
shall computerise all records of medical and environmental surveillance.

8.3 Every PME Centre shall be provided with the facility
for chest radiographs, lung function tests, arrangement for classification
of chest radiographs and also wherever required facilities for audiometry.

8.4 All chest radiographs of Initial and Periodical
Medical Examinations shall be classified for detection, diagnosis and documentation
of pneumoconiosis in accordance with ILO classification for pneumoconiosis.8.5 The PME Medical Officer in every PME
centre shall be trained in occupational health and use of ILO classification
for pneumoconiosis.8.6 Each mining company operating mechanised
mines shall set up an Occupational Diseases Board consisting of one occupational
Health Physician, one radiologist and one general physician.8.7 Occupational Diseases Board shall formulate
guidelines for referral, re-evaluation, classification of cases of pneumoconiosis
and necessary remedial actions at workplace as well as rehabilitation of
affected persons(s).

9.1 All mechanised mines and mines using heavy earth
moving machinery for exploitation of minerals, where 100 (hundred) or more
number of workers are employed, should appoint Workmenís Inspectors.9.2 In large mines sectional/departmental safety
committees under the main safety committee may be constituted for specific
area of operation.9.3 The tenure of the Safety Committee shall
normally be for a period of two years.9.4 Arrangements shall be made to train the trainers
of the Safety Committee members.

9.5 One of the agenda items in the periodic meetings
of the Boards of mining companies shall be "Safety Performance Appraisal"
of the company.